A Customized Resume Blog

July 18, 2009

How To Submit Your Resume To Hiring Managers

Filed under: Resume writing — Tags: , , , — Giselle Brown @ 1:08 pm

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HR and hiring managers like a chronological resume that is easy to read, accomplished focused with measurable results. I am seeing more HR and hiring managers lean more towards resume that have a target and/or is written to obtain a specific position.

Which is the best way to submitt a resume to HR or a hiring manager?

Hiring managers will state in the job description how they want you to submit your resume. Some will request a fax or submitting an online application. There are also some who will let you email them with an attached resume. There are three kinds of documents that job seekers need to know to ensure their resume is submitted to return the best results.

Three Resume Documents

1. Word doc
2. ASCII
3. PDF

Each document has their unique purpose.

Word doc can be changed. This version is gives you the ability to update or change anything on your resume.

ASCII is left-justified, plain text. ASCII files adopt the users default settings for typestyle and margins, and are void of formatting enhancements such as bold, italics, indents, or tabs.

ASCII resumes are unattractive to the human eye, but they offer the benefit of universal compatibility: They can be read by any word processor, e-mail program, or operating system (PC or Macintosh).

This format can be used anytime a text resume is required, but should always be used when the resume is being cut and pasted into an e-form, or when creating an HTML (Web) resume.

PDF document cannot be changed. It is best to use the PDF when sending your resume as an attachment, or when printing hard copies.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
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July 14, 2009

Objective Statement or Personal Brand

Filed under: Resume writing — Tags: , , , — Giselle Brown @ 1:48 am

Not sure if you should include an objective statement or personal brand?

To help you with your decision I will cover important factors of each.

I remember when you were able to create a one sentence object statement informing the hiring managers of your goal. This technique was used all over the United States and some job seekers are still using it.

When you look at everything else in the world, you see things do indeed change. Using an objective statement is not enough anymore. Applicants have become creative and starting informing hiring managers of who they are instead of what they want. Take a look at the object statement below.

“Objective: To contribute my health management skills in a position with a dynamic firm.”

We have all seen them and used them, as well as hiring managers. After awhile they became bored reading the same thing over and over. Until, personal branding became in the picture.

What is personal branding?

A personal brand is your career marked as a brand. This brand is your unique career package. It allows hiring managers to see exactly who you are. It demonstrates that you are more then someone who wants to contribute your skills or obtain a management position. Dan Schawbel defined personal brand as

“Personal branding describes the process by which individuals and entrepreneurs differentiate themselves and stand out from a crowd by identifying and articulating their unique value proposition, whether professional or personal, and then leveraging it across platforms with a consistent message and image to achieve a specific goal. In this way, individuals can enhance their recognition as experts in their field, establish reputation and credibility advance their careers, and build self-confidence.”

Your personal brand will be one of the most important elements of your resume. Blow is a sample of a personal brand.

“More than 20 years of construction experience in all facets of “design-build” construction operations. Possess a demonstrated record of success to increase organizational efficiency and enhance productivity, in union and non-union environments. Leadership includes strategic business planning, project development, operations, finance, risk management, negotiations, marketing, quality control, facility utilization, and client-retention management. Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong inter-personal communication skills.”

Hiring managers would find the personal brand more attractive. If well written, it will draw the reader to read more and that is what we want your resume to do.

I would suggest writing your resume first then create your personal brand. Why? You will need to examine all of your past professional and educational experiences.

When examining your past experiences, you want to list how you contributed to the business. Do not list your task and duties only; this will not attract hiring managers.
“Show, don’t tell.”

Show hiring manager what you have done by presenting measurable results.

Once you have examined your past professional and educational experiences, you are ready to begin the branding process.

When you brand yourself, think about what you and what value you bring to any organization. Are you profit-driven, entrepreneur minded, or a marketing designer?

On a resume it is important to show hiring managers how you demonstrate your unique brand by listing measurable accomplishments and achievements further in your resume.

Personal branding takes place of a boring traditional objective statement. Increase your job interview rate and brand yourself.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

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July 3, 2009

Five Tips for a Perfect Resume

Filed under: Resume writing — Tags: , , — Giselle Brown @ 4:20 pm

Resume Expert Giselle Brown’s 5 Tips for a Perfect Resume

1. Use powerful action words. One of the most effective ways to express an employer is by describing the work you’ve done with strong action words. For example, instead of saying you were “responsbile for” a department (passive), say you “managed” that department (active). Some of the strongest words used on a resume are: managed, developed, authored, negotiated and conceptualized.

2. Write like an advertising copywriter, not an autobiographer. Go for the “wow” factor.

3. Emphasize results. Write from the employers’ perspective. They want to know whether you can make a positive impact on the company and how you’re going to help them generate money or save money. You can do this by emphasizing benefits and not just functions.

4. Choose a format that will best highlight your strengths, yet minimize any shortcomings in your candidacy.

5. Call an expert. When you don’t have the time to write your own resume, you can always call a professional. Note: Before you select a resume writing service, make sure you ask to see samples of their work.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

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June 18, 2009

Attract Recruiters and Employers with a Customized Resume

Resume writing style and format has changed. As well as the driving factors that motivates recruiters and employers to contact you for a scheduled interview. Resumes of the past were written with an objective statement following a list of duties for each position. This is seen by most recruiters and employers as boring and lacks focus. Don’t let an “old fashion” resume style be the determining factor whether you get an interview call or not.

Recruiters and employers may have to go through hundreds of resumes and cover letters. Don’t think for a second that every resume and cover letter will get read from top to bottom before deciding if they want an interview or not. It only takes 15-30 seconds to decided if you make it or not.

To stay in this competitive job market you need know what drives recruiters and employers to select a candidate for a scheduled interview.

Hiring managers like to see on a resume:

• Be specific and list what job you want
• An increase of responsibility
• Short and sweet (easy to read format)
• Good descriptions of what you did and where (chronologically)
• Clear and accurate contact information
• Clearly written in response to the job posting
• Keyword match is critical
• Specific quantifiable achievements (think numbers)
• Education and certifications
• Use bold face to catch attention
• Specific accomplishments, outcomes, and achievements
• Ability to identify skill sets (at least 3 or 6)
• Easy to identify industry expertise
• Bullet points – they help to organize achievements – this also makes it easy on the eyes

Hiring managers do not like to see on a resume:

• Lengthy and boring
• Functional resumes – when you describe all of the your qualities, but do not tell what job they were used and during what time
• They do not want a career autobiography
• To general
• Not focused or specific to what the candidate is seeking
• Typos
• Randomly applying
• Inappropriate email address or voice mail message
• Too wordy – rambling on-and-on.

When preparing your resume be sure to keep note of these likes and dislikes from recruiters and employers. You want your resume to stand out and attract hiring managers’ desires.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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